Two groups of 45 term, vaginally delivered infants were studied to determine effect of maternal intrapartum glucose therapy on neonatal blood glucose level at birth and at one and 2 hours of age. Twenty-three infants whose mother received glucose infusion prior to delivery (study group) had a significantly higher mean cord blood glucose level, lower 2 hour blood glucose levels and about three times higher incidence of hypoglycemia (glucose level less than or equal to 2.2 mmol/l) as compared to 22 infants whose mothers did not receive any glucose or fluid therapy. Neurobehavioral evaluation of the infants at 1 and 2 hour demonstrated, a significant association between hypoglycemia and a low muscle tone score and a delayed habituation to various stimuli. Blood glucose levels must be routinely monitored in infants whose mother receive glucose infusion prior to delivery to detect and treat early neonatal hypoglycemia.